Within the European Union, German public documents are often only acknowledged when evidence of authenticity is provided alongside the document. Said authenticity can be proved using what is known as an “apostille”, which confirms the authenticity of the signature and, where one has been applied, the seal of the official whose signature the document bears, as well as the details of the authorisation he or she holds to issue the public document.
The EU Regulation on Public Documents makes it easier to use public documents issued in one EU Member State in others. Under this legislation, certain public documents issued in EU Member States must be accepted as genuine in other Member States even without an apostille.
How can we help you?
Recognition of public documents without the use of an apostille
The EU Regulation on Public Documents helps to simplify the use of public documents issued in one Member State of the European Union in others. Under this legislation, certain public documents issued in one EU Member State must be accepted as genuine in other Member States, even in the absence of an apostille.
More
Central authority for requests for information under the EU Regulation on Public Documents
The Federal Office of Justice has been named the central authority under the EU Regulation on Public Documents. Incoming requests for information from a given Member State regarding the authenticity of a German public document can be made, via the Internal Market Information System (IMI), either to the authority in Germany that issued the document, or to the Federal Office of Justice.
More
